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ENC police department employee on administrative leave as officials investigate social media post on personal account

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published September 17, 2025 at 5:57 AM EDT
File: social media
Wikipedia
File: social media

An Emerald Isle Police Department officer is on administrative leave as officials investigate a social media post on the employee’s personal account.

Chief of Police Michael Panzarella said the post was in no way connected to the official social media platforms of the Emerald Isle Police Department or the Town of Emerald Isle, and they do not condone it. The specific content of the post was not released.

Panzarella said he is looking into whether the content is consistent with departmental standards and expectations.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston